Last Updated on 16 May 2026 by Vanessa
On a recent late summer trip to Barcelona, Spain, I had the opportunity to visit the Gatuari cat café in the area of Villa de Gràcia.
Gatuari is not your average cat café like most people may imagine it to be.
While some cat bars are designed for people to come have a coffee or eat some food in the company of cats, Gatuari works the other way round: it’s first and foremost a place for cats, where people can come visit them.
Gatuari, a special cat café in Barcelona, Spain
A different kind of shelter
Gatuari is also a cat shelter, but it approaches things differently.
Here, the cats can run free and play inside the visitors room (which also contains the bar provisions).
Visitors can spend time with the cats, to get to know them. It’s a helpful way to form a more personal bond with the animals, that may lead to adoption.
Or, otherwise, some people may not be allowed to keep pets at their home, so they can come visit them at Gatuari.
The ultimate goal is for the cats to be happy and find a good home.
At Gatuari, all cats are special and their needs come first. Some may require certain attention, due to their age or because of a condition.
At Gatuari they’re receiving the best possible care, to ensure their well-being, health, and safety.
The place is run be Mireia and Liz. Upon arrival, they will gladly introduce you personally to each cat and tell you a bit more about them.
Meet the current feline dwellers
Clara
Here’s one that’s incredibly pleasant to be around. That’s likely because she tends to like humans more than other cats.
She’s attentive and very comfortable with being caressed. Even when she’s having a snooze moment, she didn’t mind being approached.
She often doesn’t even give her feline acquaintances the time of day when in the company of humans, as we’re likely to get all her attention.
Nuko
The oldest and biggest among the bunch. He may appear lazy or grumpy at first, but is in fact as sweet as can be.
He prefers things tranquil and enjoys caresses too.
And in moments when he doesn’t feel like it, he will calmly raise his paw and tap your hand with it. That’s your sign to leave him alone for a while.
Works like charm, and in his wisdom, I think he knows it all too well.
Hannibalina
At first sight, from a distance, she may appear a bit reserved. But wait until you crouch down and stretch out your hand.
Once she comes over, she’ll love rubbing against your hands and legs, as if wanting you to know she’s the cutest of the bunch.
And she’s a purrer, too.
Just recently, she found a new home and got adopted.
Terra
He’s a lively one. I was jokingly explained that he doesn’t always know how to behave. And indeed, he’ll surely like playing with you, and he can get a little feisty.
So, if you see he’s about to challenge you, then walk away, because he’s not likely to be the first to call it quits.
And if he really fancies you, he’ll happily give you his loving attention.
Eddie
He likes to roll on his own rhythm and pretty much has two modes he can switch on and off. Either he’s very active and playful, or he just prefers to go snooze somewhere out of sight to be left alone.
Calm and attentive, he even shows patience while having his portrait photo taken.
He also has a much more shy sibling, Tyler, that rarely shows himself when there’s a crowd. We didn’t have a chance to take a picture of him, but he looks identical to his twin brother.
The next day
After meeting all the cats and finishing our drinks and chats, I went on my way. I told a friend about my visit, and her youngest daughter was now eager to visit the cats as well. Yes, children are most welcome too at Gatuari, when accompanied by an adult.
So, we went back the next day, and something surprising happened.
During our visit, Terra (aka The Cat Who Doesn’t Always Behave) was sitting up on the counter at the bar, minding his own business. He seemed quite relaxed, so I approached him. As if he recognized me, he got up and started giving me attention, rubbing his head and body against my hands, elbows and shoulders, and started purring.
Mireia looked at me, and went: “That’s amazing, we haven’t seen him do that with anyone before.”
Gatuari offers more
Gatuari’s program includes online courses to educate yourself more about cats, from how to take care of them, over food basics to making your home cat-friendly.
They also offer cat sitting services, by a team of feline experts, for when you need to spend time away from home.
You can find out more about all this and other activities (like yoga sessions, where the cats can be the spectators) on their website.
Paying a visit
Visits are around 45 minutes, to ensure the cats remain comfortable throughout the process and attendees can enter a relaxed atmosphere (staying longer is possible too, depending on the capacity of visitors).
The visiting time slots may seem short, but are also well-considered, since Gatuari is not the kind of place where people come to read a book, eat their Sunday morning pastry or mid-week croque monsieur for lunch. And those who really love the feline residents, can revisit them time and again.
The price for a visit is only 6€ and drinks are included.
It’s always best to book a visit in advance online.
The opening hours, the house rules and everything else you need to know are also explained on their website.
Founders
Gatuari was founded by Eric and Meri, primarily to create a space where cats can be themselves.
It’s a safe place where they can rest, play, climb, and interact with people when they feel like it. At the same time, it’s a comfortable space where people can get to know each one of them.
All cats at Gatuari come from other shelters and are adults, at least one year of age. The reason behind this is to give more mature cats a better chance at adoption, as most people tend to focus on kittens in regular shelters.
Keep in mind that the cats in Gatuari who are open to adoption may not adjust well to traveling abroad. Therefore, finding them a new Spanish home in the vicinity of Catalonia will likely have priority.
And if you do decide to adopt at Gatuari, consider giving your new pet one of these typically Spanish cat names.
Location area
Gatuari is located at Calle de Sant Lluis 14, a street just outside the epicenter of Villa de Gràcia.
This area is most famously known as the heart of the annual Festa Major de Gràcia (from 15th to 21st August).
The festivities stem from a century-old Catalan tradition in which the residents work collectively together on street decorations to compete for the most astonishing scenery. The whole area undergoes a fantastic transformation, throughout a week-long festive experience with food, fireworks and live music.
You won’t find any cats during the lively festivities, though. Unless they’re gigantic and made out of papier-mâché.
Opening hours
- Monday: Closed.
- Tuesday: 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Wednesday: 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Thursday: 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Friday: 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am – 02:00 pm & 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed.
Final thoughts
Have you visited the Gatuari cat café in Barcelona or any of the other cat cafés in Spain? If so, let us know your thoughts in the comments. It’s definitely one of the most meaningful and unique things you can do in Barcelona.
And don’t hesitate to share this article with your friends and on social media so we can help even more cats get adopted.
Visit next: Espai the Gats cat café in Barcelona.
Text and photos by Gert Verbeeck (except for Jaws and King Kong).
Gatuari logo collage design composited from online stock photo material.
GERT VERBEECK is a Belgian writer, director, producer, and musician. He received his film education at LUCA School of Arts, Brussels, and continued with The Polish National Film School, Lodz. He likes his literature, motion pictures, and music diverse, nuanced, and intense.
His independent production floor, Amoeba Pictures, offers non-exclusive creative contributions to local projects and international co-productions. Sharksploitation (Sitges Film Festival 2023, official selection) and Backgammon (BIF Market 2023, WIP section) are among the more recent collaborations.
Gert was co-founder and chief editor of the alternative genre film website Cult Reviews (2008-2016). His writings include contributions to the bi-monthly printed HorrorHound magazine (2011-2012) and 23 film essays published in five movie reference books (2007-2021).
He is also a frequent collaborator behind the scenes of the HORROR 101 with Dr. AC film podcast series.
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4 responses
I would be all over those kitties. Loving on each and every one.
We have a kitty that has shown up in our backyard and is no living here. We’re feeding him/her and this morning I got to touch it. Patience and at some point we can have an indoor kitty.
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Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. ♥
Cool.
Sweet – but the festival pics are amazing! How fab! #WordlessWednesday
Well, I’m not really a cat person, but my daughter is. I do know that cats love a lots of love. When I go to house the kitties always run to me. I don’t know why! Guess they just love me. I’m just an animal person I guess. Have a great day!